A new proposal seeks to develop a campground and RV park on a 50-acre property at Mill and Johnson Road. Whatcom County Planning and Development Services is currently reviewing the proposal.
At the Point Roberts Community Advisory Committee (PRCAC) meeting on June 20, community member Lorne Nielson presented the project in collaboration with local landowner Jason McDougall.
Nielson stated the campground would be located at the corner of Johnson and Mill roads, with most campsites among trees. The proposal aims to offer tent and RV sites with electrical and water hookups. A dump station will be available for RV waste disposal, but the site will not include sewer hookups.
The campground’s target audience is tourists seeking short stays rather than long-term residency. “We don’t want RVs parked there year-round. This focus aims to maintain a transient and dynamic environment,” Nielson said.
According to an article by All Point Bulletin on June 27, the campground’s design emphasizes its surroundings, preserving some of Point Roberts’ oldest trees. “We’re really going to try to keep … many trees, especially all of the old ones,” Nielson added.
In addition to the campground’s proposal, a sign and entrance building, visible from the road, will serve as the registration and supply area. A manager’s residence, spanning 900 to 1,000 square feet, will also be constructed on-site.
The property will feature a trail system for hiking through the forest and two bathroom facilities with showers and toilets.
To minimize environmental impact, existing roads will be used during construction, reducing the need for new pathways. Nielson said any necessary clearing would be done selectively to preserve as many trees as possible. “If we have to clear a few areas, we will be very selective when we are doing that,” he noted.
The project faces several challenges, particularly in the permitting process. Designing an effective septic system poses a significant hurdle. To address these issues, the development will be phased, starting with approximately 60 spots and potentially expanding to around 160 spots.
The developers plan to open by next summer.
The case of the proposed 50-acre campground and RV park at Mill and Johnson Road highlights the importance of utilizing existing infrastructure and minimizing environmental impact for smoother project approval. By emphasizing the use of existing roads and selectively clearing areas to preserve trees, the developers and campground owners demonstrate a commitment to sustainability that can earn community and regulatory support.
